House considers enhancing penalties in fetus death

NH House considers enhanced penalties for causing death of mother and fetus

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's House is considering whether to allow judges to hand out stiffer sentences when a fetus dies during the commission of certain crimes.

Supporters argue the stricter penalties should be limited to cases where the mother dies, but critics say the fetus' death should be a crime if the mother lives.

A lawmaker filed the bill after his daughter lost her baby as the result of a traffic accident. The issue also drew attention after a former Fortune 500 executive told police he was trying to kill himself when the pickup truck he was driving crossed the median on Interstate 89 in December into the path of another car. A woman killed as a result was eight months pregnant.